Taipei lures New Year shoppers

CELEBRATION TIME:：Shoppers will be able to buy a variety of goods at discounted prices before the traditional holiday starts, the city’s mayor announced yesterday

By Mo Yan-chih / Staff Reporter

Fri, Dec 09, 2011 - Page 2

Popular souvenir shops and major shopping districts in Taipei are scheduled to offer discounts to satisfy customer demand before the Lunar New Year holiday celebrations next month, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said yesterday, inviting the public to enjoy the traditional holiday in the city.

In its latest effort to enrich the New Year shopping experience, Taipei’s Economic Development Office invited about 20 souvenir shops selling popular local delicacies, from pineapple cakes to oolong tea, to offer gift boxes at discounted prices ranging from NT$588 to NT$800.

In addition, residents and foreign visitors will be able to purchase unique gift sets online for the Lunar New Year holidays, office head Liu Chia-chun (劉佳均) said.

The annual Lunar New Year shopping festival will be held from Jan. 6 through Jan. 22 on Dihua Street, as well in the other major shopping districts of Ningxia, Binjiang and Huayin.

More shopping information is available on the office’s Web site at newyear.taipei.gov.tw.

Hau said that in addition to Dihua Street, which specializes in dried goods and other traditional New Year’s snacks, areas in the famous street’s vicinity would also hold sales on festival commodities.

“The Year 2012 is the Year of the Dragon in the lunar calendar, which symbolizes great fortune and luck, and with a great variety of products and discounts, Taipei City is inviting the public to enjoy the Lunar New Year holidays in Taipei,” he said at a press conference in Taipei City Hall.

Meanwhile, the annual year-end New Year’s countdown celebration party in front of Taipei City Hall is scheduled to include a fireworks show at Taipei 101 and several bands, including Mayday and Show Lo.

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who is seeking re-election next month, is widely expected to attend the party, but the city government declined to provide confirmation.

The event, titled “Taipei Beats, Let’s Party,” will run from 7pm on Dec. 31 until 1am on Jan. 1.